Forgiveness is at the very heart of the Gospel. When you read the Bible, forgiveness is one of the most common themes that runs from Genesis to Revelation. The prevalence of forgiveness in the Bible serves multiple purposes. Obviously, God wants us to see that He loves to forgive people, offering them grace, and bringing them into a closer relationship with Him. However, God also put examples of forgiveness in the Bible so we could see how and why to forgive others.
While it’s easy to say that we forgive someone, it’s harder to put that forgiveness into practice. However, when we hold onto unforgiveness, it subjects us to multiple issues. First of all, Scripture teaches us that when we refuse to forgive others, it prevents God from forgiving us. Additionally, holding onto bitterness is dangerous to our own mental, emotional, spiritual, and even physical health. If you are struggling to forgive yourself, the shame, guilt, and self-condemnation you are just as likely to suffer those problems. If you need help forgiving others or yourself today, pray this prayer.
Pray These Verses
Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to use the message of reconciliation.
Pray This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that You want me to freely forgive others and myself in the same way that You forgive, but I’m struggling. When I think about the hurt that I have endured at the hands of others, I get angry. The hurt that I experienced comes bubbling back up, and it’s difficult for me to keep things in check. Help me to release any bitterness that I’ve been holding onto. I know that it takes more strength to let go of it than it takes to hang onto it, and I need that strength. Also, I’m struggling to forgive myself. When I look back at my life, there are so many parts that I’m ashamed of. Help me to forgive myself, embracing the fact that I am a new creation through You. Let forgiveness flow through me like it flows through You. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Thank God
Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving me. Thank You for seeing beyond the things that I’ve done wrong so I could be reconciled to You. Thank You for committing the message of reconciliation to me so I could take that powerful message to others. Thank You for giving me the strength to let go of the pain, hurt, anger, and bitterness that I so often try to hold onto. In Christ’s name, Amen.